The Pathfinder Platinum has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Pilot doesn't offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Pathfinder and the Pilot have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Pathfinder is safer than the Honda Pilot:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Pathfinder is safer than the Pilot:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Pathfinder is safer than the Honda Pilot:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Nissan Pathfinder has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS' rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Pilot is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Pathfinder's engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the Pilot's camshafts. If the Pilot's belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Pathfinder third among upper midsize SUVs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Pilot isn't in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 6th.

The Pathfinder Rock Creek's standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 10 more horsepower (295 vs. 285) and 8 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 262) than the Pilot's 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine) is faster than the Honda Pilot:

On the EPA test cycle the Pathfinder gets better mileage than the Pilot:

The Pathfinder's standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Pilot are solid, not vented.

The Pathfinder stops much shorter than the Pilot:

The Pathfinder has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Pilot doesn't offer variable-assist power steering.

The Pathfinder has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 3.3 inches more front legroom and 2.1 inches more third row hip room than the Pilot.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Pathfinder easier. The Pathfinder's cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.7 inches, while the Pilot's liftover is 33.2 inches.

The Pathfinder has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly, without having to lift, carry or store heavy seats, like in the Pilot.

Maximum trailer towing in the Honda Pilot is limited to 5000 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Pathfinder's standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn't have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Pilot's standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Pathfinder's standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

The Nissan Pathfinder has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the infotainment. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.

Compared to traditional radio, the Nissan Pathfinder's standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the Pilot EX-L/TrailSport/Touring/Elite/Black Edition.